By Wei Zhezhe
Recently, a foreign mega-vessel was renamed “RESPECT” as a tribute to China’s rule of law. This is not a work of fiction, but a true and impactful story. A report on maritime adjudication recently published by China’s Supreme People’s Court highlighted the case, in which the Qingdao Maritime Court in east China’s Shandong province effectively handled the seizure of the Marshall Islands-registered vessel Nerissa.
The ruling helped prevent significant losses for multiple international stakeholders and avoided protracted litigation risks. In recognition of this judicial achievement, the Greek shipowner renamed the vessel in honor of China’s legal system. This story vividly illustrates how China’s judicial services contribute to its commitment to high-level opening up and how its rule of law is earning global recognition.
Take maritime adjudication as an example. The number of cases handled by Chinese maritime courts has increased significantly, from just 18 in 1984 to 34,400 in 2024. To date, Chinese courts have resolved more than 88,000 cases involving parties from 146 countries and regions. Many foreign litigants are increasingly opting to resolve disputes in Chinese courts, even when the cases have no direct connection to China.
China is also actively contributing to the development of global legal standards. More than 50 Chinese judicial cases, including those related to maritime regulations, have been included in international databases such as those curated by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), enriching international legal practice and reinforcing the global rules-based system.
A robust market economy depends on a legal framework that guarantees equal protection for all entities. At the legislative level, China enacted the Foreign Investment Law and its implementing regulations to ensure parity between domestic and foreign-invested enterprises. Judicially, Chinese courts prioritize the equal treatment of domestic and international parties, reinforcing fairness across all proceedings.
Delivering justice requires not only fairness but also efficiency. In March 2025, the Tribunal of the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone Urumqi Area resolved an international sales dispute between an Uzbek national and a Chinese citizen in just 45 days. By using online video authentication to reduce litigation costs and assigning Uzbek-speaking staff to handle the case, the tribunal enabled the foreign party to recover payment without traveling to China.
Such instances are far from isolated. In Shanghai, authorities continue to optimize a one-stop, integrated online dispute resolution platform that links mediation, arbitration, and litigation services for international commercial disputes. This platform allows parties to file cases online, engage in mediation, attend hearings remotely, and receive documents digitally, offering 24-hour convenience.
Mediation, often described as a hallmark of “Eastern experience,” is also receiving global recognition for its ability to produce amicable solutions. In a maritime collision case, the Ningbo Maritime Court in Zhejiang province involved a foreign shipowners’ protection and indemnity association in the mediation process. By integrating court guidance with industry input, the court helped identify a balanced solution that served both parties.
As China continues to advance its high-level opening up under the rule of law and strengthens its foreign-related legal framework, it is solidifying the foundations of its open economy. Through this continued development, China provides new opportunities for the world, contributing to global cooperation and mutual benefit.
Source: People’s Daily
